w2w question

rockhouse · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 12

Hey guys i am new here and to the sport. I've been riding about 1 month with no watersports exp. whatsoever. I'm 6'2'' and 190 lbs and riding a LF Omega 143. I am pulling off the stern of an in/out with a pretty small wake. How much does a waketower or pylon make in going w2w? I understand the concept of the pro. edge, and i am working on it, but i can't seem to clear the wake. I'm always about 1 foot from making it. I know a vid clip of me would help, but i ain't got one. Any info or clips would be appreciated, thanks.

rockhouse · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 12

man, not 1 response outta 26 views...wtf?

jhayden · Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

I have never ridden behind a pylon or a tower, so I don't know how much they help. However, I ride behind a pretty basic outboard boat that doesn't have any accessories as far as wakeboarding is concerned (no ballast, wedge, etc.). It doesn't even have a ski pylon, the rope connects directly to the boat on either side of the engine. That means that the tow point is just about as low as it could possibly get (a tower or pylon just raises your tow point). It also has a pretty small wake.

With these circumstances, I can go wake to wake. I'm not trying to say I'm especially good. I've worked really hard on progressive edging, and that is what you should do as well before considering spending a dime on a pylon or a tower. Progressive edging makes big jumps, plain and simple. There are many accounts on this forum of people doing backrolls and other inverts behind boats without pylons or towers.

Also, for what it's worth, there probably aren't many replies because this question has been asked and answered many, many times in this forum. Generally, if you do a search you'll find a lot of useful information.

rockhouse · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 12

I appreciate the response. You answered my question perfectly, thanks bro.

alfromscotland · Soul Rider Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 259 City: aberdeen

The sport originated without towers and pylons man, check some old skool vids and see how much the old riders ripped up with none of the gear we take for granted.

If you are only one foot short then you are almost there man. You could also try shortening the rope (dont do this if you already ride a short rope) and then you will definitely make it w2w if you are that close already. Keep at it anyway man, the feeling you get with your first w2w is easily as good as your first w2w 180/ 360.

If you can hone your skills on a boat with no tower etc, then when you do get to ride behind a wake boat, you wont believe how much easier it is.

Nooga678 · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

From my experience riding behind towerless I/O with old school ski ropes, a no stretch rope helps more than a tower. Spend time playing with the speed and trim to get the wake the best you can, then get a no stretch rope before dropping the money on a tower. If you already have one, then keep working on your technique.

pet575 · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

Work hard on your progressive edging. I ride behind an I/O with a tower, a non-stretch rope, and plenty of weight and I forgot how to w2w after having it nailed down pretty good. Like you, I was coming up about a foot short.

I got some video of myself (I know you said it is not an option for you) and saw that my progressive edge was $h!T even though I thought I was edging hard. The point of my saying that is that the tower, ballast, and rope made no difference because my technique was terrible. I thought I was edging hard and progressively, but was doing neither.

Edge twice as hard as you think you should be, and hold it so that you are edging harder and harder when you hit the wake. Once you do that, you'll clear the wake by 2-3 feet easy regardless of what you're riding behind.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

You definetly do not need the tower or pylon to go wake2wake. I learned w2w behind an outboard.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I can attest to what everyone is saying and specifically pet575. I ride behind an I/O with no tower. I am working on my progressive edge and get it right sometimes. This last weekend I landed a couple w2w's. The feeling was distinctly different and I felt this rush of speed and up to the wake, along with a release of energy at the wake. It is tough to describe, but it is a unique feeling. My wife said, looking back at me, I launched very differently. Too bad my son didn't happen to take video of the couple times I made it...LOL! I crashed and didn't make it many more times this weekend, but I'm getting the feel now.

rockhouse · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 12

thanx bros. I'll keep working the prog. edge and see what happens.

IrideLITE · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 318

ya, i ride i/o without tower and an old ski rope...i can get w2w. just about your edge and standing tall